Daily life with diabetes can be emotionally exhausting to say the least. Some days, it can feel like we’ve done everything in our power to keep it under control and it still manages to act in unexpected ways. If this output of emotional energy goes unrecognized, life can quickly become overwhelming. Fatigue can start to seep into all aspects of our life and showing up each day will only get more difficult.
We all deserve to feel respected, cared for, and valued, but unfortunately for someone living with a chronic illness, it has to be fought and advocated for. There’s no perfect way to emotionally integrate living with a chronic illness into one’s life. Every journey is different and valid. There are, however, some actionable steps one can take to better support their emotional health.
Here are some tips on how to support yourself emotionally while living with diabetes…
Give Yourself Time
The initial diagnosis of diabetes, whether it’s type 1 or type 2, can be daunting. Managing this chronic illness is now going to be a large commitment that will require a lot of time and space in your daily life. Taking the time to learn about the disease, better understand your body, and how to best take care of physical health is important. This will all have lasting, positive effects.
When we don’t allocate time for ourselves, it can have a negative effect on our emotional health. This is even more true with a chronic illness like diabetes! Our glucose levels will be all over the place and our health will begin to suffer as we struggle to maintain energy levels and regulate our own emotional health. This is why it’s important to slow down and give yourself time.
So what does “giving yourself time” really mean? Well remember, you are the one who has to live with this condition so while it’s nice to have support, at the end of the day, how well you live with it is up to you. To ensure good health, you’ve got to put yourself first. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and search for ways to support your physical health. Better blood sugar management is key.
That being said, managing diabetes shouldn’t completely take over your life. Try to leave time to live and give yourself breaks. Don’t be too strict! To help with this, try keeping a journal, check in with yourself daily, and practice self-compassion and self awareness.